Rev. Jason Perry sort of speaks like one of those old southern Baptist fire-and-brimstone preachers. His Tennessee drawl gives you notice he’s made the correct career path.

(Photo11: Courtesy)

Rev. Jason Perry(Photo11: Courtesy)

“If we don’t unify together and stand strong moving forward, it’s going to be total chaos,” Jason said on “New Mexico in the Morning” this week. The Roswell city councilman, Chaves County party chairman and ordained minister at that community’s Tabernacle Baptist Church put his name in for nomination and has been elected to represent all of us in Congressional District 2 at the Republican National Convention next week in Cleveland.

“I’ve decided to personally stand up and be counted as someone that believes our country needs a new direction,” Perry said. “I’m going to Cleveland and voting for Donald Trump and the conservative platform on the first ballot.”

Perry said that he has been getting plenty of phone calls and emails from the “Republican Establishment” informing him that he is not bound to vote for Trump on the first ballot, but that isn’t his understanding of the convention rules.

“My understanding is that we are required to vote for the candidate that won the New Mexico Republican Primary on the first ballot,” Perry said. “That is my intention — and I will support the party’s candidate and look forward to the day when he debates Hillary Clinton.”

Originally from Chatanooga, Tennessee, Jason and his wife Deena served as missionaries in Mexico for several years before settling down in Roswell to raise their seven children. Along with his church duties that included vacation bible school this summer, Jason plays piano for local organizations whenever asked. One of his favorite songs behind the keyboard is, “If ten-percent is enough for Jesus, why can’t it be enough for Uncle Sam?”

Perry compares what’s happening with Donald Trump nationally to 1980 when Ronald Reagan was first elected President, with the exception of their communication style.

“Reagan would speak sort of pastor-like but basically had the same message of ‘making America great again’” Jason said. “Trump has that same message but uses more street-language in getting his point across. That’s why he has trouble at times getting his message across to some people.”

Jason said he’ll be on the floor of the convention every day next week making sure that the convention rules are being upheld. He said while he wasn’t necessarily for Trump at the beginning of the campaign season, New Mexico voters have spoken and it’s his job to make sure their voices are heard in Cleveland.

Jason said he would be happy to provide daily reports next week on the radio, “so folks can get the real truth without having to rely on the liberal media.”

Tim Keithley is the host of the New Mexico in the Morning radio show Monday-Friday, 9 to 10 a.m., on KRUI 1490 AM, KWMW 105.1 FM and 99.1 FM or live streaming at www.mtdradio.com.